A huge fire has destroyed a large section of London's famous Camden market, including a favourite haunt of celebrities.

Hundreds of people had to be evacuated when the blaze engulfed the market early on Saturday evening.

The worst-hit areas were storage properties and kitchens and the Hawley Arms pub, popular among celebrities including Amy Winehouse, Sadie Frost and Pete Doherty.

The landlady, Ruth Charles-Ridler, said she was devastated: "Everyone I've spoken to is in complete shock."

No one was hurt in the fire but police say parts of Camden Town will be closed for the next three or four days as structural engineers assess the damage.

Yesterday, shopkeepers who had been evacuated said they did not know when they would be allowed to return.

"It is very frustrating," said Saj Sana who works in a sports shop on Camden High Street. "There are a lot of people who survive by running businesses here, and now this has happened and we are not being told what is going on."

Police said it was too early to say how the fire had started, but locals claimed it had begun in an area of catering units - possibly a tea stall.

Smoke was still billowing from the site yesterday as fire crews continued to damp down the area. At the height of the blaze 100 firefighters had tackled flames reaching 100ft (30metres) into the air. Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, said: "Yet again the emergency services deserve our thanks for the speed and professionalism with which they have responded to tackle the blaze."

Last night a council spokeswoman urged people who owned businesses affected by the blaze to monitor the council website and said officials would meet shopkeepers privately to discuss how they could help.